2018 PGA Year In Review Part 3

In 2018, Francesco Molinari showed everyone that age is just a number when he joined the ranks of the elite players. What did he bring to the table? A British Open win and remarkable playing with increased driving distance. Molinari, at the tender age of 35, gained nearly 20 yards over the past three years, which includes nine-yards in the 2018 season. He attributes his distance to getting into the gym and tweaking his equipment and swing.

How important is an extra 20 yards off the tee? According to Mark Broadie, the inventor of the Strokes Gained: Statistics, 20 yards extra can decrease a player’s score by three strokes per tournament. That can be the difference in a top 10 finish and a win.

Molinari picked up his first PGA TOUR win (Quicken Loans National), his first major (Open Championship) and qualified for the TOUR Championship for the first time. He had four worldwide wins before this year. He won three times in 2018, including the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship.

ANCHORS UP

Two years after the anchor ban from January of 2016, those players who didn’t fair so well because of it have been making their way to the winner’s circle. Both Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson won a tournament for the first time in years. Simpson came back in style with a record-setting win at THE PLAYERS. Last win for him was in October in 2013. Bradley’s last win was the BMW Championship six years ago in 2012. Both Simpson and Bradley led the field in strokes gained during their wins.

So, what is different about their putting strokes now that the anchor ban is in place – how did they find a winning stroke? Both players use the arm-lock method where the putter shaft runs up their arm. Different strokes for different folks!

So, was 2018 an exciting year for your golf game? If not, be sure to make 2019 a banner year. Call one of our experts and plan your next Myrtle Beach golf package today. It’s always a great time to hit the links in Myrtle Beach!